Craig law enforcement officers and local children participate in Cops and Kids Fishing Day in 2003 at Little Rascals Pond. This year's event, which is open to children 12 years of age and younger, takes place from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 29.

If you go...

Where: Little Rascals Pond, located behind the Moffat County Public Safety Center, 800 W. First Street.

The event is open to children 12 years of age and younger. For more information, call the Moffat County Sheriff’s Office at 824-4495.

Quotable...

“My favorite is to watch the five or six-year-old out there fishing for the first time. Everyone gets so excited when a child hooks their first fish ever.”

— Moffat County Sheriff Tim Jantz about Cops and Kids Fishing Day scheduled for later this month.

Craig  Every angler remembers the day they caught their first fish.

Although they may not remember the exact date, location or even the species, they remember the bite that seemed to come without warning and the excitement of a fish tugging on the end of their line.

They remember trying to pull the hook themselves, then yielding to the expertise of a parent or older sibling before eventually releasing the fish back into the water.

Although the thrill of the bite never gets old, there’s something magical about that first fish.

After a one-year hiatus, Craig’s law enforcement community once again will help create lifelong memories with the return of Cops and Kids Fishing Day.

“If I have a pet passion this is it because I love to fish,” said Moffat County Sheriff Tim Jantz. “I like to pass that along to our kids, and it’s fun to watch them out there fishing.

“My favorite is to watch the 5- or 6-year-old out there fishing for the first time. Everyone gets so excited when a child hooks their first fish ever.”

The event, which dates back to about 2000, is slated for 5 to 7 p.m. May 29 at the Little Rascals Pond located behind the Moffat County Public Safety Center, 800 W. First Street.

The day is designed as one for the local law enforcement officers to donate their time to the community, but it also marks the season opener of the Little Rascals Pond.

“We want people to know that the pond is open and available for the kids to use,” Jantz said. “It gives children the chance to fish in a safe environment where the kids don’t have to compete with adults at places like Loudy-Simpson Park.”

Cops and Kids Fishing Day is open to children 12 years old and younger. Hot dogs, hamburgers, sides and drinks will be provided. There also will be prizes for first fish, biggest fish and most fish caught and released, in addition to an array of door prizes.

For more information about the Cops and Kids Fishing Day, call the Moffat County Sheriff’s Office at 970-824-4495.